Wire category
SELL SURPLUS VFD CABLE
Drive cable is expensive per foot and rarely used to the end of the reel. When a drive project changes, the remainder is worth a review rather than a scrap bin.
Leftover project wire? Sell it now — don’t scrap it.
Built for drives, not for panels
VFD cable connects a variable-frequency drive to a motor over a distance where pulse-width-modulated output would otherwise radiate noise and damage insulation. The construction reflects that:
- Three symmetrical grounds spaced evenly around the conductors
- Foil and/or braid shield with a drain path for high-frequency currents
- XLPE insulation, typically rated 1kV, with a rugged overall jacket
- Three power conductors plus the grounds, in sizes from 16 AWG to 500 MCM
Some constructions add a pair of control conductors for brake or encoder signals. Those versions are marked, and the marking matters for identification.
Where surplus VFD cable comes from
- Drive replacements where the motor run was shortened or rerouted
- Automation projects with cable ordered per drive and one drive deleted
- Panel shops that buy in 250 ft or 500 ft reels and finish the job with cable left over
- Plant decommissioning, where drives are removed but the cable is pulled intact
Because the per-foot cost is high, even a partial reel can be worth as much as a much larger quantity of building wire.
Confirming the construction
The legend on VFD cable usually states the type, the voltage (600V or 1kV), the conductor size and count, and the shield construction. Photograph it, then photograph the cut end so the symmetrical grounds and shield are visible.
If the reel tag remains, it will usually carry the manufacturer's part number, which is the fastest form of identification for drive cable.
Condition and packaging
VFD cable is mechanically robust, so most surplus material is in good condition. Watch for crushed reels, jacket abrasion from dragging, and water inside an opened reel that sat outside. Ends that have been stripped back more than a few inches suggest a partially consumed reel, which is fine as long as the remaining footage is stated.
Request a quote
Send your VFD cable details
Send the details and photos once — we review the lot and come back with a real number, not a range.
What helps us quote fast
- Cable markings and jacket legends from the reel tag
- Total footage, reel count or an estimated weight
- Whether the material is new surplus, unused or a partial reel
- How a truck gets to it — dock, forklift, ground level
Talk to a buyer
+1 (614) 715-3047
saleselectricalbuyers@gmail.com
Photos and contact details are used only to evaluate and respond to this request. See the privacy notice.
Surplus wire quote request
Questions sellers ask before they call
Do you buy partial VFD cable reels?
Yes. Partial reels are the normal case; tell us the approximate remaining length.
Do you buy 1kV drive cable?
Yes, in 600V and 1kV constructions, including shielded and armored versions.
Does the drive brand matter?
Not for the material itself. The construction, size and condition are what determine the quote.
Do you buy VFD cable with control pairs?
Yes. Those constructions are identifiable from the legend and are quoted like any other drive cable.
Something not covered here? Call +1 (614) 715-3047 or email saleselectricalbuyers@gmail.com and we will answer directly.
Surplus wire sitting in a warehouse costs money every month
Send what you have and we will tell you what it is worth. One reel, a pallet of cut lengths, or a full rack of medium-voltage cable — start with the details and a few photos.